Share This Story!

Doc Rivers didn't care for Donald Sterling's apology

Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers addressed "I'm aware of (Sterling's apology). I'm glad that he did it, I don't have much more comment than that, but I think that's what you have to do and you should do

In an interview with CNN that will air Monday night, the shamed Los Angeles Clippers owner apologized for the racist remarks that led to his lifetime ban from the NBA. But Sterling, who had dragged Magic Johnson into this mess by telling his associate, V. Stiviano, on the revealed audiotapes that he didn't approve of her posting pictures with the Los Angeles Lakers legend online, also said in the CNN interview that he didn't he didn't think Johnson was a "good example for the children of Los Angeles," in how he contracted HIV.

Rivers, the Clippers coach, has yet to read the excerpts released by CNN. But when Sterling's latest comment about Johnson was relayed his way during a Monday afternoon conference call with reporters, he was clearly not pleased.

"I know who Magic is. I'll stand by Magic every day of the year because I've known him for a long time," Rivers said. "Having said that, I don't know what's going on out there. I tried not to get involved in that part of it right now. Whatever it is, that doesn't sound like much of an apology to me."

With the Clippers tied 2-2 in their second round series with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Game 5 set for Tuesday, Rivers said he simply doesn't have the time nor the inclination to track every Sterling-related development.

"I just don't need the clutter right now," he said. "I've got the basketball operations, I've got the team, we're in the middle of the playoffs. So for right now, what I've decided to do is to tune out, if you want to say. ... I'm sure at some point I will sit down and listen and hear (Sterling's comments)."

He had been told, however, that Sterling apologized.

"I am aware of that," Rivers said. "I'm glad that he did it. I don't have much more comments than that. But I think that's what you have to do, and you should do it. He probably should have done it right away. "

When news of Sterling's comments were first revealed, Johnson said via his Twitter account that he nor his wife, Cookie, would not attend another Clippers game so long as Sterling was the owner. He was there on Sunday, however, watching the Clippers come back from 22 points down to down the Thunder 101-99. Rivers said he wasn't aware Johnson had come until he was driving home with his wife after the game.

Game 2 in Oklahoma City -- Thunder 112, Clippers 101: Oklahoma City forward Kevin Durant (35) drives to the bucket between a pair of Los Angeles defenders during the second half. Mark D. Smith, USA TODAY Sports